SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- A 7-year-old boy broke into a popular Outback zoo, fed a string of animals to the resident crocodile and bashed several lizards to death with a rock, the zoo's director said Friday.
In this CCTV image, the boy throws a turtle over a wall at the Alice Springs Reptile Center.

In this CCTV image, the boy throws a turtle over a wall at the Alice Springs Reptile Center.

The 30-minute rampage, caught on the zoo's security camera, happened early Wednesday after the boy jumped a security fence at the Alice Springs Reptile Center in central Australia, said zoo director Rex Neindorf.

The child then went on a killing spree, bashing three lizards to death with a rock, including the zoo's beloved, 20-year-old goanna, which he then fed to "Terry," an 11-foot, 440-pound saltwater crocodile, said Neindorf.

The boy also fed several live animals to Terry by throwing them over the two fences surrounding the crocodile's enclosure, at one point climbing over the outer fence to get closer to the giant reptile.

In the footage, the boy's face remains largely blank, Neindorf said, adding: "It was like he was playing a game."

By the time he was done, 13 animals worth around $5,500 had been killed, including a turtle, bearded dragons and thorny devil lizards, Neindorf said. Although none were considered rare, some are difficult to replace, he said.

"We're horrified that anyone can do this and saddened by the age of the child," Neindorf said. Video Watch the boy in action »

Alice Springs police said they are unable to press charges against the boy because of his age. Children under age 10 can't be charged with criminal offenses in the Northern Territory. His name was not released because of his age.

Neindorf said he plans to sue the boy's parents.


The boy's small size is probably the reason he didn't trip the zoo's security system, which relies on sensors to detect intruders, Neindorf said.

"I just want people to learn that they can't let their children go and run amok," Neindorf said. "If we can't put the blame onto the child, then someone has to accept the responsibility."

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapc....ap/index.html


Ummm...where were his parents??

This kid needs some serious help.Messed up, I feel so bad for all the animals and everything and I hope that the parents AND the boy get a punishment and have to pay for everything plus more.

Oh my goodness, I was reading this story earlier today! It's just terrible! Watch out for this kid, I've heard that children who are cruel to animals show sociopathic tendencies... And they said his face was blank the whole time, that's just creepy.

terrible
thats discusting

that is unbelievable

its so sad...when I read this article this morning I was shocked, the boy obviously needs help, but how is it a 7 year old boy is off on his own like that? How can his parents not be in way more trouble for all of this, its so sad, the whole thing

The problems this boy is exhibiting sound pretty severe. To be seeing something like this at seven is astounding. I think the whole family ought to be required to undergo examination by child protective services (or the Aussie equivalent). Something is seriously dysfunctional in that home. If the parents can't be jailed, they should lose custody of the children...

Bob

how could a 7 year old get into so much trouble, this is sad in so many ways, i feel really sorry for the kid, i know what he did is horrible.. all those poor animals.. but this isn't something an average 7 year old would do.. something has to be seriously wrong with his parents or something. i dunno..

That's exactly what I was thinking!

That kid has some serious mental problems. I hope he gets seen to before he decides killing random animals isn't enough anymore.

Sick and disturbing.
I would like to know where the parents were as well...

That is disturbing i cant believe that a 7 yr old would do that. I wonder what his life is like if he can do things like that and not show any emotion. I feel so sorry for the animals.

This gave me goosebumps. I don't even know what to say. Knowing the way the world works, I doubt much will be done. A few years back I read a story about a man throwing a kitten at a wall and getting no more than a small fine and a slap on the hand. And they also give them what..5 years before they can own any more animals? THEY THINK THESE PEOPLE CHANGE IN FIVE YEARS? THEYRE PSYCHOTIC!

Ah! It's proably because of stuff he sees on TV, violence. Anyway he's fairly young at 7 years old.

Omg! what goes through some of these kids heads i'll never know, he needs help...

Thats a bit young! i could never imagine my daughter gettin out the house on her own! poor animals to.